78 Burb - Original Tach Issues

[BlackTomC]

Just read the message, I'll respond with what I know now, then do the troubleshooting as soon as work is over.

The relay does click when I press the horn button, unfortunately there's no sound (unless I have that pink wire plugged into the spot above where it's currently located).

Yes I've checked the grounds (even replaced a few), I'll double check again and start tugging on the main wires from the starter tonight. I appreciate the thorough response.

[BlackTomC]

Tugged on all the wires connecting to the starter, absolutely no slack. Anything else you'd recommend I check?

[BlackTomC]

@Admin - My bad man, next time I will put more effort into reducing them to the correct size. The images were initially over 2Mb's in size, each time I reduced the resolution of the image, I noticed the image quality drastically reduced and assumed if I hammered it down to 256Kb, it would reduce it far too much to depict any valuable details that could leading to resolving my little fiasco. Thank you for the heads up.

[bd]

Are all of the connections clean and tight?  Any discoloration or evidence of heat stress at any of the wire connections?  Did the horn sound when you removed the horn relay and jumped red to green?  Do you have a voltmeter?

[BlackTomC]

Alright, so to very that the connections are clean, I will need some time in the daylight (when I'm off work) to closely inspect, I will remove the starter and thoroughly check all connections.

Just jumped the red and green wire behind the horn relay, horn are loud and clear. I don't have one, but can get ahold of one tomorrow morning.

[bd]

Alright, so to very that the connections are clean, I will need some time in the daylight (when I'm off work) to closely inspect, I will remove the starter and thoroughly check all connections.

Just jumped the red and green wire behind the horn relay, horn are loud and clear. I don't have one, but can get ahold of one tomorrow morning.

You shouldn't need to remove the starter.  Just use a bright flashlight and peer at the connections, try to wiggle them.  If the terminal ends don't appear to be factory installed, look at the wire strands to see if there is any sign of discoloration from heating due to a poor crimp.  You get the idea?  Just perform a close visual inspection for anything obvious.  Then you can use the meter to check for any voltage loss.  You may need the voltmeter for a few days. 

Since the relay clicks when you press the horn button, and the horns sound when you bypass the relay, replace the horn relay.

[BlackTomC]

Will do. Picked up a new relay on the way to work this morning for $11, installing tonight after work, will update with results. As for the starter, I probably should mention this, sometimes when I go to start the Burb, I turn the key, and the starter just goes "CLACK", then usually the second of third time I turn the key, the burb cranks over and fires right up.

Tonight I will verify the connections are solid and inspect for any weirdness going on down there with the terminals.

Another piece of history on this burb, before I bought it, the engine was removed due to a burned valve, it was replaced, along with the cam, all the gaskets and distributor.. I'm not sure if the tach worked before that.

Will update accordingly.

[bd]

If the battery is in good shape and all the electrical connections are clean and tight, it sounds like it could use a new starter, too....  And, maybe a couple of shiny new 2-gauge copper battery cables.      To diagnose the B+ feeds into the cab you'll need to use a voltmeter.

Regarding the tach, I suspect a component is bad on the circuit board attached to the back of the tach head.

[BlackTomC]

Battery is brand new. I'm sort of learning as I go here, any cons to using a replacement gear reduction starter?

ACDelco - Starter Motor
Part # 337-1016

I'll go ahead and grab new cables as well, it's all old under there, I'd really like to get everything into better shape.

Regarding the tach, what I don't understand is that sometimes, when I soak the engine bay (during cleaning), the tach comes back to life for a few hours, then goes right back to reading low again.

[bd]

I didn't check the P/N you posted, but a compact gear reduction starter is usually a good choice.  On the battery cables, make sure they are all-copper 2-gauge or heavier cables, not copper-clad aluminum.  The tach thing is still up in the air, pending further diagnosis.

[BlackTomC]

So I replaced the relay, horn works perfectly now, absolutely no delay, and no interference with the tach. Also picked up a multimeter.

[BlackTomC]

Alright, so quick status update. I found the resistor for the my blower motor, YES! Also, the horn works great, but now when I press the horn button, the tach drops down even more, drops down almost 500 RPM's. Tomorrow I am replacing the starter, giving her some new battery cables and cleaning all the connectors.

[bd]

Progress?

[BlackTomC]

Hey bd,

Thanks for sticking with me, I really appreciate it. The starter comes in today and will be installed Friday morning. This 4/10 work schedule has me waking up when it's dark, and leaving work when it's dark.

[Irish_Alley]

im still with you also keep at it. but bd's knowledge is much more vast and complex than mine. so im still lurking around learning off the two of you